While Spain has made a name for itself for sunshine
and sandy beaches, it is in fact Europe's second most mountainous country
(after Switzerland) and offers some very interesting possibilities for
skiers. The majority of the better ski spots are concentrated in the Pyrenees
Mountains along the country's northern border with France, but there are
also useful slopes in other parts of the country. While Andorra is not
Spain, but an independent country nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain
and France, there is some good skiing there and it's actually quite close
to Barcelona.
The key ski areas are:
| Region |
Location |
Ski Areas |
| Pyrenees-Catalonia |
Northeast |
- Baqueira-Beret
- Boí-Taüll
- La Molina
|
| Formigal: Pyrenees-Aragon |
North |
- Astún
- Candanchu
- Cerler
- Formigal
- Panticosa
|
| Pyrenees-Andorra |
Between Spain & France |
- Pas de la Casa
Grau Roig
- Soldeu
El Tarter
- Pal
|
| Andalucia |
South (Granada) |
|
| Central Region |
North of Madrid |
- La Pinilla
- Navacerrada
- Valcotos
- Valdesquí
|
| Northern Area |
Cantabrian Mountains |
- Valdezcaray
(La Rioja)
- Alto Campoo
(Cantabria)
- San Isidro
(León)
|
The Pyrenees aren't the Alps, and many of Spain's ski areas are on the
small side. I haven't [yet] skied all of Spain's 23 ski areas, but in my
own personal opinion, two areas do stand head and shoulders above the rest:
Sierra
Nevada in the south (site of the 1996 World Championships), and Baqueira-Beret
in the Catalonian part of the Pyrenees.
Information Links for Skiing in Spain & Andorra
Ski
Central
Ski areas in Spain from Ski Central.
